The Summer Night Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic is an annual open-air event that takes place in the magical setting of the Schönbrunn Palace Park in Vienna with the palace as a magnificent backdrop. Everyone is invited to come to this unique occasion, with free admission. Each year up to 100,000 people can take up the invitation, or enjoy it on radio and TV in over 60 countries.

Since 2008 the Vienna Philharmonic has provided an outstanding experience for the people of Vienna and guests to their city with this free concert in the park of Schönbrunn Palace. The palace and its Baroque park, which have UNESCO World Heritage status, are an extraordinary setting for this special concert.

In recent years the orchestra has been conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, Valery Gergiev, Franz Welser-Möst, Daniel Barenboim and Georges Prêtre. Among the previous guest solists are Yefim Bronfman and Benjamin Schmid. This year, the concert is conducted by Christoph Eschenbach with special guest pianist Lang Lang.

The tradition of the Vienna Philharmonic goes back to 1842, when Otto Nicolai conducted a Grand Concert with all members of the imperial “Hof-Operntheater”. This event was originally called “Philharmonic Academy” and is regarded as the origin of the orchestra. Since its founding, the orchestra has been managed by the administrative committee – a democratically elected body – and is artistically, organizationally and financially autonomous. All decisions are reached on a democratic basis during the general meeting of all members.